Custom Sump or DIY Sump?

[Joes210gal]

I've seen real nice custom acrylic sumps with refugiums. But I've also seen DIY sumps with refugiums using glass aquarium setups that look as though they can be as efficient as a pricey custom. What are the pros and cons to either setup. And does anyone have pics of their DIY setups?

I currently have a sump with no refugium made out of 1/4 inch acrylic. I don't feel confident in its strength as it is bowing in a couple of places. I'm feeling an urgency to replace it.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Joe, do a search for Keith Grandt. He built my custom sump and although it is obviously more expensive than a DIY, IMO it's worth it for the flexibility you'll have with the design as well as piece of mind that it won't fall apart. You can design the sump to fit your stand's dimensions which will avoid wasted space and allow you to have more water volume in the sump. You'll be able to have your skimmer section sized to fit your skimmer exactly as well. You can also add a custom sized frag section and fuge area.

This is the design Keith and I came up with. Skimmer section in the back left, flowing into a frag area. This is separated from the fuge by a perforated acrylic divider. The fuge was designed to allow for a DSB (so I can go SSB or BB in the main tank if I want) and has about 8" of sand as well as various macros & xenia. It then flows into the return area.

You could do the same sort of thing with a DIY sump, but it probably won't look as nice. The only downside I can see with a custom sump is the money it costs, but it may be cheaper than you think.

 

[bladeruner143]

I read on one of these posts that Keith isn't doing anymore "aquarium related" work

 

[kdblove_99]

personally a DIY is just as good for way less than custom. i bought a used 55 gallon of craigslist for super cheap, have lowes cut some glass and silicone them in. your done!

 

[Mikey Donuts]

Blade-really? I just talked to him at the swap and he showed me a tank he's working on. Are you sure about this?

A DIY is definitely a lot cheaper, but you're stuck with standard aquarium sizes for the sump. If you've got an odd shaped tank like I do, or want to maximize space under there, you can design a custom that will fit the stand exactly how you want it to. Just my 2 cents

 

[Reef n' Madness]

Yeah, I saw that he told someone he is no longer doing aquarium work. Which has me SUPER bummed because I wanted to talk to him about a custom refugium for a tank I am setting up in the fall!

 

[Joes210gal]

Mike,
Sweet setup, and a frag area too! I'm thinking custom to maximize my space but I'm still not counting out a DIY if space maximizing is possible.

 

[bladeruner143]

Check it out . . .

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1337456

Hey Joe, if you have the know how then why not go DIY? Its pretty much custom built. All you would need to do is figure out what size you would want and search for that tank, add some baffles or whatever else you wanted. If you dont, then it may be better for go get it done somewhere. GL, oh and I forgot to mention that I am extremely jealous that your first tank is a 210!!! I cant wait for you to upgrade though!!!!!! LOL

 

[rafael13]

get a glass tank and make it your self, it's more rewarding

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